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100cc+ Scooter Choices?

so i think i'm going to be selling my bonneville this spring as i really don't have time to ride it with a 7 month old...i will be using that money to buy a new zero turn and maybe a used scooter or moped (if i can find something clean that i can still get parts for)...just something to throw a basket on and putt around town to do errands and have a little fun on...right now i'm between the zuma 50 and the ruckus as they are pretty common and there are a lot of aftermarket parts for them...the early zumas were 2 strokes too so i would imagine they would be a little more fun...if anyone has any input or other ideas i'm open...leaning towards the ruckus right now just due to less plastic than the zuma and looks like it would have more storage capacity...thanks

also what's the deal with the MA moped regs...can you register a 49cc scooter as a moped and not have to insure/plate it?

EDIT: after some of the feedback here i'm now looking at a 100+cc scooter just to be able to keep up with town traffic and be a little safer due to all the distracted drivers out there...plus a little more fun...brands i'm currently looking at are...something with a rear rack for storage

Re: Zuma or Ruckus?

Originally Posted by Chippertheripper

Vino or Zuma125.
Yeh, you have to register and insure it, but at least you’re not a traffic hazard.
Comfortably goes 45, will stretch it’s legs to 55 stock.

being able to keep up with town traffic would be a plus instead of being on the side of the road with cars whipping by with people texting in them...now finding a used one in my price range (once i figure out what that is) may be a little harder

Re: Zuma or Ruckus?

at what age are vehicles exempt in MA?

The completed RMV-1 must be accompanied by one of the following documents:
1 A manufacturers Certificate of Origin (new vehicles only), or
2 The previous owner’s Certificate of Title, Dealer Re-Assignment form if applicable, or
3 The previous registration and bill of sale for vehicles that are exempt because of their age.

Re: Zuma or Ruckus?

Find an older 2 stroke, 50cc Zuma. Same speed as the new ones, no registration hassle.

Originally Posted by b0xmonkey

This. I had the 49cc Zuma for a few years. With a couple cheap mods I was doing about 45 and rolling with traffic. No reg, no insurance, no excise, no inspection.

i had a moped when i was a kid...i think all i needed was a sticker from the town...it seems much different now...they have 3 different designations moped or limited use or motorcycle designations...so you basically have to be sure what you buy is considered a moped...but either way it seems like you need a registration sticker...i wonder if you go to register a zuma or a ruckus at the rmv as a moped if they will tell you it's a limited use vehicle and force you to plate it

moped
A moped must have an automatic transmission, an
engine capacity that doesn’t exceed 50 cc and can
not go faster than 30 miles an hour. A moped needs
a registration sticker from the Registry of Motor
Vehicles to operate on the roads, and can be parked
on a sidewalk.

limited use
The new law that takes effect July 31 includes
an additional category of two- to three-wheeled
vehicles, called “limited use” vehicles. These vehicles
can go faster than 30 mph and reach a top speed
of 40 miles an hour. Unlike mopeds, these vehicles
need to meet federal safety certification, be titled,
inspected, insured and registered with the RMV
which now has a distinctive plate for limited use
vehicles. An operator of a limited use vehicle must
have a driver’s license unless it is federally certified as
a motorcycle, then a motorcycle license or permit is
required.

motorcycle
A two- or three-wheeled cycle that goes faster than
40 miles an hour can be registered as a motorcycle.
An operator needs a motorcycle license to operate,
and the motorcycle must meet federal safety
certification for a motorcycle, be titled, insured,
inspected and registered with a motorcycle plate.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles announced in July
that moped operators whose vehicles now meet
limited-use requirements will be required to insure,
title, register and inspect their vehicles when their
current moped registration expires.

Re: Zuma or Ruckus?

Originally Posted by Point37

i had a moped when i was a kid...i think all i needed was a sticker from the town...it seems much different now...they have 3 different designations moped or limited use or motorcycle designations...so you basically have to be sure what you buy is considered a moped...but either way it seems like you need a registration sticker...i wonder if you go to register a zuma or a ruckus at the rmv as a moped if they will tell you it's a limited use vehicle and force you to plate it

moped
A moped must have an automatic transmission, an
engine capacity that doesn’t exceed 50 cc and can
not go faster than 30 miles an hour. A moped needs
a registration sticker from the Registry of Motor
Vehicles to operate on the roads, and can be parked
on a sidewalk.

limited use
The new law that takes effect July 31 includes
an additional category of two- to three-wheeled
vehicles, called “limited use” vehicles. These vehicles
can go faster than 30 mph and reach a top speed
of 40 miles an hour. Unlike mopeds, these vehicles
need to meet federal safety certification, be titled,
inspected, insured and registered with the RMV
which now has a distinctive plate for limited use
vehicles. An operator of a limited use vehicle must
have a driver’s license unless it is federally certified as
a motorcycle, then a motorcycle license or permit is
required.

motorcycle
A two- or three-wheeled cycle that goes faster than
40 miles an hour can be registered as a motorcycle.
An operator needs a motorcycle license to operate,
and the motorcycle must meet federal safety
certification for a motorcycle, be titled, insured,
inspected and registered with a motorcycle plate.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles announced in July
that moped operators whose vehicles now meet
limited-use requirements will be required to insure,
title, register and inspect their vehicles when their
current moped registration expires.

From my experience and friends experience...under 50cc and you have no problem getting the simple registration sticker. No insurance, no LUV plate, nothing. Its basically a bicycle to them. It doesn't perfectly fit in the rules, but no one is checking.

Re: Zuma or Ruckus?

Originally Posted by JettaJayGLS

From my experience and friends experience...under 50cc and you have no problem getting the simple registration sticker. No insurance, no LUV plate, nothing. Its basically a bicycle to them. It doesn't perfectly fit in the rules, but no one is checking.

good to know...thanks...makes me feel a little better

Originally Posted by b0xmonkey

IIRC, I had to sign a paper saying it was not capable of speeds over 25mph....pretty sure there's no reciprocity on this one. That limited use thing is a game changer, I paid $40 for a 2 year sticker.

probably this form below...yea the limited use thing is screwing things up for any model the rmv considers to be on it's list or goes between 30-40mph (link in post #11)...both the ruckus and zuma are 49cc engines but the zuma is a moped and the ruckus is limited use?...is one noticeably faster than the other?

"Motorcycle'', any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, including any bicycle with a motor or driving wheel attached, except a tractor or a motor vehicle designed for the carrying of golf clubs and not more than four persons, an industrial three-wheel truck, a motor vehicle on which the operator and passenger ride within an enclosed cab, or a motorized bicycle.

"Motorized bicycle'', a pedal bicycle which has a helper motor, or a non-pedal bicycle which has a motor, with a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and which is capable of a maximum speed of no more than thirty miles per hour.

"Motorized scooter'', any 2 wheeled tandem or 3 wheeled device, that has handlebars, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, powered by an electric or gas powered motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. The definition of "motorized scooter'' shall not include a motorcycle or motorized bicycle or a 3 wheeled motorized wheelchair.

Re: Zuma or Ruckus?

The downside to the mopeds is they are stolen like crazy around here, at least.

In Boston Ruckus is super popular. Tons of customized versions as well. Neat looking machine. At one point Honda made a [250cc] “Big Ruckus” and those are now sought after.2018 Ruckus Overview - Honda Powersports

A friend of mine commutes to Cambridge from Brookline almost year-round on a Ruckus, and along with being stolen (and recovered through a bizarre set of circumstances) he’s finding getting passed all the time increases the risk. The flip side is using bike lanes, ease of parking and low fees. Nor do the 49cc machines require a motorcycle license.

Another popular model in Boston is the Honda Metropolitan, a Vespa-looking machine. They’re only a couple hundred more than similar Chinese brands.

Zuma or Ruckus?

Thanks fellas...yea after thinking about it some more Iím probably looking at a 125cc+...it will be safer as Iíll be able to keep up with town traffic...I just want to stay in a smaller nimble one...not a huge highway worthy one...would like to go Honda or Yamaha or maybe Piaggio...something I can toss a milk crate on...donít want to wrench so Iím staying away from the Chinese brands